Objective: To determine the health economic burden of patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
in Germany.
Patients and Methods: 292 patients in different stages of the disease (female:190; mean age: 65.5±10.5y)
were recruited in five specialized movement disorders clinics (four clinics and one
office-based neurologist). Patients were included if they were in line with the following
requirements: 1. Visit in one of the centers during the last 12 months. 2. The patients
fulfilled the diagnostic criteria according to the International RLS Study Group 3.
No participation in other clinical or epidemiological trials. There were two pathways
for participation 1. Patients were asked to fulfill the CRF during the visit in one
of the participating centers or 2. patients, who fulfilled the above mentioned criteria
received a mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of an evaluation of the
sociodemographic, clinical and health-related status of the patients suffering from
RLS. In addition, health care resource utilization depending on RLS as well as indirect
costs were sampled. Costs (2005 €) were derived from various German medical economic
resources. Costs were calculated from the societal perspective and only RLS-specific
health care expenditures were included.
Results: Total costs for the three months evaluation period were €1300±2850. Indirect costs
amounted to €850±2510 and were calculated based on the productivity loss using the
human capital approach. Direct costs were €450±990, including inpatient stay (€60),
drugs (€370), out-patient consultation (€13), costs for physiotherapy (€20) and others.
Approximately 80% of the drug costs are due to dopamine agonists; only 15% of the
patients did not receive any medication.
Conclusion: This is the first study with the aim to evaluate the costs due to RLS. Indirect costs
are the main cost components along with drug costs causing 65% and 24% of the costs,
respectively. Further studies which evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different treatment
options in patients with RLS are currently necessary to provide evidence for a rational
therapeutic use of available drugs.
